WRA Travel Basketball
Policies & Guidelines 2015-16
1. Objectives
1.1.
1.2.
1.3.
1.4.
1.5.
To play basketball at a more competitive level
To develop your child’s skills surrounding the sport of basketball
To improve your child’s understanding on the rules and fundamentals of the game
To provide your child a more advanced level of coaching & training
To develop your child’s personal confidence within the game, their personal development and
their love of the game
1.6. To provide your child the opportunity to be part of a team and developing a sense of teamwork
1.7. To have fun in the spirit of competition
1.8. To implant the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage, hard work and respect
for authority
2. Tryouts
2.1 General
2.1.1. All tryouts are OPEN tryouts
2.1.2. There are no pre-selected or pre-determined players selected prior to having the completed tryouts
2.1.3. Last year’s team members shall not have any advantage over any other players at the tryouts (and
should not wear any part of last year’s uniform)
2.1.4. The appointed coach[es] and Independent Evaluators shall run the tryouts in a manner in which
each individual player is evaluated fairly and equally
2.2. Notice
2.2.1. A list of the scheduled dates, times and locations of each tryout is published on the WRA website as
well as directly communicated via email to each player/family who registers for tryouts.
2.2.2. For any questions or concerns, please contact the Travel Coordinator via email. Contact
information can be found on the WRA Web site.
2.3. Ages & Eligibility
2.3.1. Teams are based on the date of birth on an August 1 to July 31 calendar
2.3.2. A player may not become of age before July 31 of the intended playing season
2.3.3. All players must try out at the age appropriate division
2.3.4. The exception to these age rules are defined each year by Inter County Basketball Association
(ICBA)
2.3.4.1. Please refer to Rules section of the ICBA Web site: icbabasketball.com
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2.3.5. Eligibility to play on a WRA Travel Team
2.3.5.1. Any persons living in Wissahickon School District boundaries
2.3.5.2. Any persons attending St Helena School
2.3.5.3. Up to two (2) out of District players per team
2.3.5.3.1. This shall be defined as not meeting the criteria defined in 2.3.51. or 2.5.3.2
2.3.5.3.2. This rule is defined by ICBA
2.4. Dates/Times/Locations
2.4.1. The general time frame for tryouts to take place is early October
2.4.2. Pre-registration for tryouts takes place in September
2.4.3. The dates and times of each of the tryouts are selected by the individual coach[es] at the respective
age division with the assistance of the Travel Commissioner
2.4.4. These dates and times can NOT be changed without the express approval of the Travel Basketball
Commissioner
2.4.5. Locations of the tryouts are limited to gyms and times available. These locations are generally:
Wissahickon Schools and other local gyms in the surrounding area
2.5. Minimum
2.5.1. A minimum of two (2) tryouts are held for each age division. If there are a large number or
registered players at a particular age group, a third tryout may be scheduled.
2.5.1.1. If needed, the third tryout shall be a Callback where a subset of players chosen by the Coach
and IE’s are contacted and asked to attend this 3 rd session.
2.5.1.2. Should a player be unable to attend the Callback, this does not exclude such player from
consideration for the final roster.
2.5.2. A minimum of one (1) tryout must be attended to be considered for selection. Attendance at all
tryouts is strongly recommended.
2.5.3. A player must be present for a majority of the scheduled time to be considered as attending (e.g.
not arriving late or leaving early).
2.6. Evaluations
2.6.1. If the pool of players is more than fifteen (15), the Evaluation will consist of the Head Coach and
two (2) independent evaluators
2.6.2. If the pool of players is fifteen (15) or less, the Evaluation may consist of the head Coach and one (1)
independent evaluator
2.6.3. Regardless of player pool size, should the Coach be independent (no son/daughter/relative on the
team), then only one (1) additional independent evaluator is required.
2.6.3.1. Independent evaluators shall not include any assistant coach or parent/relative of a
prospective Team member
2.6.3.2. Independent Evaluators (IE’s) shall be vetted with the Travel Basketball
Commissioner/Coordinator prior to the tryout process
2.6.3.3. If possible, the same IE’s should be present for both evaluations
2.6.4. Section 2.6.1 & 2.6.2 is contingent on the availability of qualified IE’s
2.6.5. The Head Coach shall provide overall guidance to the IE’s as to his/her coaching philosophy and key
selection criteria prior to the evaluation process.
2.6.6. Players shall be evaluated primarily on their performance during the tryout process
2.6.6.1. Historical performance shall not be considered except in rare situations (injury, emergency
situations). In these cases, written documentation shall be submitted by the Coach to the
Travel Basketball Commissioner/Coordinator
WRA Travel Basketball
2.6.6.2. Players shall be rated on both offensive and defensive skills, as well as the ability to operate
within a team environment.
3. Selections
3.1. Players selected will be based on the accumulation of all the evaluators’ ratings sheets, feedback and
observations during the tryout process.
3.2. The Head Coach shall provide guidance as to the overall desired make-up of the Team (ballhandlers/guards vs forward/centers).
3.2.1. Building a team that includes a mix of size/skill and positions is the goal of each Team. For example,
a team of 10 should not have 7 guards.
3.3. The coach [es] shall first select the players for their respective team as defined in 3.5.1, 3.5.2, 3.5.3 and
3.5.4
3.4. IE’s shall then select the remaining players as defined in 3.5.1, 3.5.2, 3.5.3 and 3.5.4
3.5. Team selections shall be as follows
3.5.1. For Team of 10 players – 4 players will be selected by evaluators, 6 by the head coach
3.5.2. For Team of 11 players – 4 players will be selected by evaluators, 7 by the head coach
3.5.3. For Team of 12 – 5 players will be selected by evaluators, 7 by head the coach
3.5.3.1. Coach(es) sons shall be considered a Coach selection
3.6. A general consensus between Coach and IE’s must be in place for all Coach selections. For example, a
Coach may not select a player whom both IE’s believe is not qualified to play Travel Basketball. In the
event of such a selection, the IE’s may protest the selection to the Travel Basketball
Commissioner/Coordinator for resolution. Likewise, the Coach has the ability to protest a selection by
the IE’s. All protests must be submitted to the Travel Basketball Coordinator/Commissioner in writing.
3.7. Each player shall receive a telephone call or other appropriate form of communication in a timely
manner (after the last tryout session) as to whether that player has been selected or not
3.8. The complete roster must be finalized within one week after the conclusion of the final tryout of that
particular age/gender. No space can be held intentionally for possible add-ons at a later time
3.9. A player selected to play a team has the right to accept the offer from the coach or not. In the event
player declines the offer, the Coach must alert the Travel Commissioner/Coordinator so that another
player can be identified. Coach shall not select the replacement player independently.
3.10. Once tryouts are held, no player outside of the candidates eligible to be selected can be selected as a
member of the team. Exceptions require the Travel Coordinator’s approval
4. Players
Although players are evaluated for their overall skill level and potential, evaluations are in the
end a guideline. It is important to understand that no talent supersedes the player (or player’s
parent) who has proven to be a disruptive force, one who consciously or not impedes the
progress of team or player development. Where the potential for a counterproductive situation
exists, the Travel Coordinator and Coach can make a collective decision based on what is in the
best interests of the team. Evaluators will therefore consider all possible factors when making
final decisions on each player.
WRA Travel Basketball
5. Coaches
5.1. A basketball resume and letter of philosophies must be submitted to be considered as a Travel team
coach. In the event of more than one volunteer to coach a Travel Team, a Committee (at a minimum
comprised of the Director of Coaching and Travel Coordinator) will review all candidates who
volunteered and will make a referral to the WRA Vice-President of Operations for appointment
5.2. A coach’s selection is up for review on an annual basis.
5.3. Coaches shall not communicate directly with ICBA. All communication with ICBA to be funneled through
the IVBA Coordinator, or if there is not one assigned, the WRA Travel Basketball Coordinator.
5.4. All coaches are subject to WRA Policies including a Background Check
6. Assistant Coaches
6.1. All teams must have at least one (1) assistant coach, selected by the head coach, who will be registered
with the League, identified and submitted to the Travel Coordinator prior to registration
6.2. A team may have more than one assistant coach to help with the team. All assistant coaches will be
selected by the head coach after tryouts have concluded.
6.3. Assistant Coaches must work within the team framework established by the head coach.
6.4. All Assistance Coaches are subject to WRA Policies including a Background Check
7. Teams
If possible, Boys shall field teams at the ages of 8-13 (3rd grade – 8th grade)
If possible, Girls shall field teams at the ages of 9-13 (4th-8 th grade)
Each male and female age division shall have one team
A Team shall have no more than 12 players on a roster. No exceptions.
7.4.1. The Coach shall determine team size (10, 11 or 12)
7.4.2. For an age group with less than 10 players trying out, coach and WRA Basketball Committee shall
determine feasibility of fielding a team
7.5. All age groups may not be registered as a team due to insufficient player interest, lack of a qualified
coach or any other unforeseen problem
7.6. Decisions to have or not to have a team or teams will be made by the Travel Coordinator with input from
the coach[es]/IE’s running the tryouts for that age division.
7.7. All Teams shall play in the Inter County Basketball Association (ICBA)
7.7.1. The decision on each teams level of play (division level within ICBA) will be a joint decision between
the coach, Director of Coaching and the WRA Travel Commissioner/Coordinator
7.1.
7.2.
7.3.
7.4.
8. Playing Time
8.1. All rostered players present for a game must play a minimum level of the time allotted for that game as
defined below. Final decisions are up to the coach’s discretion to allow for exceptions such as injury,
repeatedly missing practice time, or disciplinary action.
8.1.1. Roster of 10: minimum playing time is 20%
8.1.2. Roster of 11: minimum playing time is 20%
8.1.3. Roster of 12: minimum playing time is 15%
8.2. Should this minimum level of playing time in a single game not be met due to an oversight or mistake,
the following (official) game shall be used to “make-up” such playing time so that over the span of the
two games, such player(s) have played in the above designated % of the combined playing time.
WRA Travel Basketball
8.3. In the event playing time is restricted for repeatedly missing practice time or a disciplinary action, the
Coach must communicate to the player prior to the game the reasons. For 3 rd, 4th and 5th grade teams,
the parents shall also be informed directly.
8.4. While all effort should be made to abide by the minimum playing times set forth above, if applicable
minimum playing times shall not be in effect for ICBA semi-finals and finals games.
9. Conduct
9.1. All players, coaches and parents must show sporting behavior before, during and after all games and
practices
9.2. Non-compliance of any of the WRA by-laws, WRA basketball, or ICBA rules subjects the coach, parent or
player to disciplinary action by the WRA or ICBA
9.3. Any coach, parent or player displaying unsporting behavior is subject to disciplinary action by the ICBA
and WRA. Unsporting behavior shall include, but not all inclusive of:
9.3.1. Physical contact of any kind
9.3.2. Abusive language
9.3.3. Any of the penal and/or excessive technical fouls of the game
9.4. The referee, the players and the opponent must all be treated with respect
9.5. Coaches are expected to control the sidelines and to put an end to any detrimental behavior. This
includes the lineup and shaking of hands at the completion of each game. Coaches are also expected to
address any problem the referee notes.
9.6. The gym must be left clean after each game
9.7. Any fine[s] handed down by the League (ICBA) for any of the above infractions or forfeited games will be
paid by the coach[es] or the responsible parties
9.8. Scheduled practice gyms and times must be adhered to unless the involved teams reach an agreement
prior to the practice
9.9. Parents are expected to treat the Coaches, players, referees with respect and not be a disruptive force.
9.9.1. Coaches shall report, in writing, a parent or relative that is being disruptive to the WRA Basketball’s
Director of Coaching and/or WRA Basketball Travel Commissioner/Coordinator. This report shall
include background information on the incident(s). Please refer to Section 12 – Grievances for
information on the process.
9.10. WRA reserves the right to suspend or expel Parent/Relative, Coach, and/or Player from WRA if it is
determined that the Code of Conduct as defined above, or the WRA Code of Conduct as defined on the
WRA Web site (wrasports.org) has been violated.
10.
Administration
10.1. Paperwork is an important part of the coach position (e.g. registration, player passes, communications
between parents, players and WRA, tournament applications, etc.) The paperwork must be kept up for
the Program to stay organized and compliant. The coaching staff is still ultimately responsible for all
paperwork and administrative tasks for his/her team.
10.2. Reporting Scores
10.2.1. Process is defined by ICBA. Coaches are strongly recommended to read the ICBA Administrative
responsibilities. ICBABasketball.com
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11.
Fees
11.1. League Registration/Insurance Fees: The WRA will make payment directly to the respective League for
team registrations that includes the appropriate insurance
11.2. Referee Monies – the WRA will provide the referee fees required for each game played during the
currently registered season only. These fees will be supplied to the coach prior to the start of the season.
The Coach is responsible for paying the referee for each home game and applicable play-off game
11.3. Uniform costs are not included in the Registration Fee
11.3.1. Team jersey and shorts are required. Additional Team clothing or equipment is optional.
11.4. In addition to ICBA League Fee’s and Referee Fees’, Registration Fee’s shall entitle each Team to be
reimbursed for one (1) tournament fee.
11.4.1. Pre-approval from the WRA Travel Commissioner/Coordinator is required
11.5. Fund-raising
11.5.1. No fundraising in the name of WRA may be solicited without the express authorization of the
WRA Vice-President of Administration
11.5.2. There will be no solicitation of funds which could be misconstrued as a WRA sanctioned fundraiser without the approval of the VP of Administration
12.
Grievances
12.1. All grievances shall be governed by the WRA Grievance Policy
12.2. League (ICBA)
12.2.1. All grievances (game, referee, etc.) are to be coordinated with the WRA ICBA Coordinator
12.2.2. The ICBA Coordinator in conjunction with the person filing the grievance must put a letter in
writing and file with the appropriate person[s] within 48 hours of the incident
WRA Travel Basketball